Craftsman just announced a new edition to their compact lithium-ion powered NEXTEC cordless tool line – a right angle impact driver (17562). This RA impact driver is designed to drive fasteners in tight spaces and close quarters where other tools just cannot fit.
The impact driver’s svelte height also means that the tool is held closer to the fastener and workpiece, offering greater control and accuracy. Craftsman designed the new handle style to be more ergonomic, and at only 2.2 lbs it’s lightweight enough for overhead use.
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Specifications:
- 0-2200 RPM
- 700 in lbs of torque
- 1/4″ quick connect bit holder
- electric motor brake
- 12-volt lithium-ion battery with 30-minute charger
- two-finger trigger
- LED worklight
- battery fuel gauge
- tool storage case
Uses
So where would you want to use this RA impact driver? Well, pretty much anywhere. I imagine that the impact mechanism only kicks in when you need high torque, so it should be handy for a wide range of fasteners small to large. The torque specs for the driver aren’t as high as for pistol-grip style impact drivers, but when you need access to tight corners, you will NEED a RA driver like this.
We’ll try to get our hands on one of these new drivers for review, so keep watch for it!
Craftsman’s NEXTEC right angle impact driver is scheduled to be released this month at $100. It’s currently available for preorder.
uthscsaedu
I guess I was wrong. I thought this specific tool was exclusive to Ridgid
Stuart
It could be that Ridgid’s parent company is the OEM for these. However, the differing torque specs suggest that this may not be the case.
Phil G
I was in need of a RA impact driver while doing some plumbing upgrades recently. I had been using a right-angle attachment on a driver, but the recoil and awkwardness of the rigged-up mess was more frustrating than anything else. The closest thing I could find was a 10.8/12V Hitachi Hitachi WH10DCL. This fit the bill nicely, got my jobs done and I found the tool to be rather adequate in quality. Unfortunately, I now have a “black sheep” tool that does not share batteries or chargers among my DeWalts and Bosch tools. Since the kit was self-contained, with a charger and a pair of batteries, it’s not that big of a deal.
I would assume that, like the Hitachi and my 12 and 18V Bosch impactors, the drive is direct until a certain minimum torque before the direct drive releases and the hammer takes over.
rob
I look and sound of this, I might wait for it to released w/out the battery. Save a few bucks, although currently I think they have it $5 online if you order before its release. So far I am happy with the quality of the Craftsman Nextec tools I have purchased.
fred
@Phil G
In commercial application, I find it impractical to buy one-off cordless tools with different battery platforms. We buy batteries in bulk (10 or more at a time) to take advantage of manufacturer’s bulk pricing discounts. We had standardized om the Milwaukee M12 line for compact tools and the Makita LXT line for 18V tools – phasing out our older Makita and Porter Cable cordless tools In the impact gun area we purchased a few Makita BTL063 right angle 3/8 drive impact wrenches that seem to do the job for us when we need them.
On a related note – it would be nice (maybe too much to ask – but I think some do this) if all manufacturers could figure out how to make their batteries foward and backward compatible at the connection point. It would also be nice (I know about competitive advantage, restraint of trade issues and marketing – but it would be nice) if there were standardization in battery configuration to allow us to purchase across platforms like we do with corded tools. Can you imagine if every corded tool had a different plug configuation – extend that to appliances and you can see why NEMA electric wiring standards dictate specific plug configurations
Stuart
Phil, I also believe it’s direct drive until that the impact mechanism is torque-activated.
Rob, it may be some time before the tool-only version is released, but it does make sense to wait a little if you already have a charger and batteries for your other Nextec tools.
Phil, I have to agree with you there completely. I don’t think that Craftsman’s Nextec line is really aimed at commercial users, but they do offer most of their 12V tools standalone without batteries or chargers.
Manufacturers probably could collaborate to produce a standardized battery, but they won’t. Tools and their batteries are often designed to complement each other. One company might put their battery over-current and thermal protection circuits in their batteries, another in the tools themselves. It’s something to wish for, but won’t ever happen.
Making batteries forward and backward compatible is another issue entirely. Some companies, such as Dewalt, have managed this with their 18V lineups, but due to differences in battery performance, specs and weight at the very least, it’s not always possible. Lithium ion is here to stay, and many manufacturers will likely keep their battery form factors as they are unless a particularly egregious design flaw needs to be fixed. Both Bosch and Milwaukee have been improving their battery performance lately (10.8V for Bosch, 10.8 and 18V for Milwaukee), which is a good sign that they will try to maintain their tools’ form factors for as long as possible.
Phil G
@fred: Many years ago I bought a DeWalt DW9090 battery charger (there was a B&D Pro Univolt version as well, same thing, but in black instead of yellow). This unit boasted a lot of features like 13 minute charging, cell reconditioning and compatibility with 2.4 to 13.2 volt packs. At the time I was using B&D and DeWalt drills with 9.6, 12 and 13.2V. Later on DeWalt came out with the 14.4 volt line and I was relieved to find out those batteries were usable in there as well, But the main feature I liked about it was that it also charged competitors batteries as well, which was perfect with my Makita, Milwaukee and Senco (Ryobi format) packs . The charging socket accommodated lots of different pack configurations. Sadly, this unit was never updated, and soon discontinued. It was nice having one charger that would charge most of my cordless tool packs at the time.
Something like this would be wonderful these days, but in the era of LiIon tools/packs and the myriad different methods used by each manufacturer for charge control, cell protection and just plain crazy different pack connection and mounting means, it would be near impossible to even try.
@Stuart: Yes, these days more than ever the battery is designed into the tool from the beginning, especially with the LiIon gear. DeWalt and Craftsman have been kind enough to make the LiIon packs compatible with the older gear, which is a boon to people like me who have a large investment in tools and does not want to see perfectly usable tools become not so much once the battery packs are no longer available. In the case of DeWalt, the marriage is not perfect with most older tools, the pack mounting overhangs the smaller LiIon pack and in some cases the tool will no longer stand on the heel of the pack, but that’s minor. Of the main tools in my collection, DeWalt puts the “smarts” in the cells and Bosch puts it in the tools. In the case of the DeWalt 36V line, the entire tool controller is inside the cell as well, with tool only having the motor and the switch for the most part. The PWM, overcurrent and cell protection is wholly inside the pack. Since the 18V stuff is retrofit, the LiIon cells have the cell protection inside the packs where the NiCd cells only have a temp sensor used by the charger for safety. The PWM speed controls are inside the tools. It’s a clever means to make the batteries and tools interchangeable between cell chemistry. Now if they would only make the packs cheaper, we’ll all be happy. 🙂
Stuart
Ah, thanks for the clarification. Putting the electronic controls insides the battery packs certainly does make cross-platform compatibility easier to manage, and also explains why the batteries are so expensive.
Eventually they may change over from this, but I know a lot of folks like yourself using older Dewalt tools that would not be happy if forced to upgrade.
Alexander
I got mine in the mail the other day. Ive found it very useful thus far. My only gripes are 1) The selector switch is very touchy. I wouldve liked it if it was a rigid as the selector on the drill. And 2) As you mentioned, the lack of a low speed. Its difficult to drive small fasteners and flathead screws when you go straight from 0 to 60 in a millisecond. Ive had the bit land in my fingers after slipping out of screws a few times
Overall, a well put together tool
Louie Ortiz
How can I get a broken screw head shank out from the chuck